Wayne native Mary Anne O’Donnell is the first layperson to be recognized with the Monsignor Arthur F. Valenzano Joyful Servant Award from the Catholic Charities of Baltimore, writes Paul McMullen for Catholic Review.

The award honors the memory of the Archdiocese of Baltimore priest who served on the Board of Trustees of the Catholic Charities by recognizing “a joyful life and spirit in service.”

O’Donnell joined the Catholic Charities of Baltimore in 1996. She spent six years as a senior administrator, served eight years in its Community Services Division, and spent the last six as assistant director and chief administration officer.

During that time, she developed employment programs, helped run the signature mission of the agency – the Our Daily Bread facility – and has managed areas from human resources to IT.

She approached her work with a touch that reflects a key phrase in the organization’s mission statement, “Cherish the Divine Within.”

“In my whole 44 years of work, whether it was with college students or here, I’ve never felt like I was getting up to go to a job,” said O’Donnell. “It’s always been like a ministry to me and how I’m kind of living out my faith every day.”

Read more about Mary Anne O’Donnell in Catholic Review here.

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